St Philip’s Marsh is a fairly barren suburb of Bristol. There’s not much housing, hardly any shops, and it’s dominated by industrial estates. But for those in the know, it is also the burgeoning capital of Bristol’s independent breweries – filling the air with hops instead of petrol and playing a large role in the speedy redevelopment of the area.
For the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 26 & 27), six of the area’s most highly respected breweries will open their taproom bars for the East Bristol Brewery Trail. Visitors that hit the crawl will taste a delectable sampling of beers, as well as get the opportunity to talk to the local brewers about their practices or just have a good old chinwag.
It’s back again after last year’s successful return – the first time the event took place since the pandemic, having first started in 2016. We’re over the moon to have it back. The trail is run by Arbor Ales, Good Chemistry Brewing, Wiper & True, Left Handed Giant Brewing Co., Moor Beer and Little Martha Brewing. All the breweries are a short walk from each other if you’re worried about suffering from ‘sea legs’.
The East Bristol Brewery Trail is centred around the start of the Bristol and Bath cycle path, near Lawrence Hill station and only ten minutes from Temple Meads. It starts at Arbor Ales on Easton Road and snakes all the way over to Little Martha on Oxford Street. Although this is just a guide and you tackle the route whichever way you want.
If you can’t make it down that bank holiday weekend, however, no need to fret. Many of the breweries’ taprooms remain open during the summer months. So you will have plenty of other opportunities to taste the hoppy delights St Philip’s has to offer. Just have a look online at openings before you wander down.
Also, many pubs and stores around Bristol stock a lot of these local breweries’ beers, while Left Handed Giant also opened its own brewpub in 2019 by Castle Park. Overlooking the harbour, it’s worth checking it out if you’re ever in the centre of town. For more information on the trail, times and the breweries click here.
The East Bristol Brewery Beer Trail
Arbor Ales
181 Easton Road, BS5 0HQ
Wiper & True
Units 11-15, City Business Park, St Jude’s, Bristol BS5 0SP
Left Handed Giant
Unit 3, Wadehurst Industrial Park, St Philips Road, BS2 0JE
Good Chemistry
2 William Street, BS2 0RG
Little Martha
Arch 23, Oxford Street, Bristol BS2 0QT
Moor Beer
Days Road, Bristol BS2 0QS